NEWS that an iconic pub has been sold to Broughton-based CGP has been greeted with relief and optimism by locals and beyond.

The Prince of Wales in Foxfield was a well-known destination among locals and real ale enthusiasts alike but its future had been under considerable doubt.

It was bought three years ago by a property developer, who, despite good intentions, had failed to deliver a comprehensive redevelopment programme to 're-imagine' the pub in the 21st century. 

Fears grew among locals that the pub would be left empty to deteriorate, or sold to a property developer, but CGP is keen to revive the Prince of Wales, although they warn that this work is likely to take a year or two to complete, due to the scale of the project.

Local campaigners had successfully applied to have it listed as an asset of community value such was its standing in the local community under its last 23 years trading under the ownership of Stuart and Lynda Johnson.

During this time it earned a reputation as a destination renowned for its never-ending list of real ales, home-cooked food and was, as Hairy Biker Dave Myers described, 'like walking into your mother's front room'.

Dick Palmer and Bob Bell, authors of the application, said: "On behalf of all the locals, waifs, strays, characters, and real ale hounds that considered the Prince of Wales as 'their' pub, we would like to welcome the news of the sale and look forward to helping the new owners deliver a hostelry befitting the heritage of the Prince of Wales as a local amenity and regional centre of excellence."

"We would like to thank Duddon Parish Council for all their assistance in nominating the Prince of Wales as an asset of community value, enabling the sale to take place in such a way that it will remain a public house for everyone and a community hub for Foxfield residents and the wider area.

"Special thanks must go to Councillor Jay Sayers for her time and effort to connect the vendor with the new owner.

"This effectively ends the community's involvement in securing the pub's future, but the new owners can rest assured that we expect a big party to reopen this local icon."

Richard Parsons and Kie Jackson of CGP said: "It's fantastic that we've been able to take this opportunity, working with the community to secure the purchase of the Prince of Wales.

"We look forward to taking on the considerable project over the next couple of years to get the pub back open for business.

"Our aim is to retrieve that cosy 'mother's front room' feel that it had before."